Sun World International acquires Biogold

Sun World International has acquired Biogold Group, a major South Africa-based global fruit variety rights manager, trading as Citrogold in South Africa. The deal further expands Sun World’s product portfolio to incorporate citrus and subtropicals.

Biogold is recognised as a leading global supplier of citrus genetics. In addition to its own breeding programme, it manages rights to mango varieties developed by third-party breeders. Together with the breeders it represents, Biogold has the world’s largest mango collection and one of the world’s largest collections of avocado varieties.

Sun World described the deal as “an alignment of two industry leaders, who are equally convinced that joining forces will exponentially power their innovation capabilities and collective growth”.

“Sun World is known for commercialising carefully, and being intentional when releasing our genetics, in service of maximising benefits to our producer licensees,” said David Marguleas, CEO of Sun World. “Similarly, we make very few acquisitions and when we do, we do so with discipline. There couldn’t be a stronger business case than this alliance. It’s a powerful accelerant for both companies and a pretty seamless integration for two already-strong organizations and leadership teams.”

Sun World said Biogold’s extensive citrus range is an exponential value-add to its global leadership in table grapes and stonefruit. Like Sun World, Biogold also holds varietal management rights to a significant portfolio of not-yet-commercialised varieties.

Biogold was founded in South Africa in the late 1990s by a small group including Etienne Rabe, who was later joined by Abraham (Abs) Van Rooyen and others. The company expanded its international operations in the 2000s and was subsequently integrated into ANB Investments, a leading South Africa-based enterprise with a diverse portfolio of agriculture holdings. Today, Biogold enjoys a global presence in South Africa, the US, Europe and South America, with growers in the world’s major citrus producing regions.

Biogold’s operations will continue to be run by Viresh Ramburan as vice president, global licensing, citrus and subtropicals and there will be no staff reduction at Biogold because of the acquisition.

Key management of Biogold will be retained and Van Rooyen will remain a trusted advisor to Sun World’s executive team. Having grown up in the business on his family’s citrus farm, he is widely respected as a visionary leader, and as one of a handful of individuals who have most advanced the citrus sector in South Africa into the leading global player it is today.

“This acquisition instantly catapults our combined company onto a new growth path,” said Ramburan. “We’ve developed unique expertise in helping fruit breeders to monetise their valuable genetic assets, effectively serving breeders across sectors which include government, academia and private entities. This acquisition creates a symbiotic relationship that will be highly scalable to the benefit of both parties and to our customers – both fruit breeders and growers.”

Since 2019, Sun World has been targeting citrus, mangoes and avocados and today’s announcement is the result of five years of discussion and discernment. These three priority crops have experienced explosive retail growth and are much in demand by consumers worldwide. Sun World said the deal is proof of its intent to dramatically accelerate its genetics offering to its 2,700+ licensees and to have a complete range of the most desirable genetics for new customers.

“Biogold is an invaluable supplier to Wonderful Citrus,” said Zak Laffite, president of Wonderful Citrus. “We have tremendous respect for the quality of their varietals, and know that with Sun World and Biogold under one roof, we will see tremendous benefits for the industry as a whole.”